Say No to White Stallion Coal Plant

Dear Editor,
    Re: “Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect Highland Lake Water” [Newsdesk, News blog, June 15]: Why should you care if Matagorda County gets a dirty, fish-killing, air-contaminating, groundwater-polluting coal-fired power plant? Because in order for the owners, who remain nameless, to go ahead with their plans, they must obtain a contract for water from the Lower Colorado River Authority that would take 22 million gallons of water per day, every day, for the next 40 years out of our Highland Lakes! Have you seen our lakes lately? Do you think we have that amount of water to spare? The LCRA staff thinks we do, but they are basing their calculations on the drought of record of the 1950s. I believe the drought of record may be happening right now, and there is no Plan B if their numbers are wrong. The water will be drained out of our already depleted lakes no matter how bad the future drought(s) may be. Since this would be a power plant (one that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the electric authority in our state, says we do not need), it would get first dibs on the water over all other users, including you, me, and the rice farmers down south. I moved here 20 years ago, and Lake Travis was a big reason why. I have loved that lake since I was a kid, but it is imperiled right now. It will be permanently imperiled if this contract goes through. Please contact the LCRA board of directors and come to the Aug. 10 board meeting and implore them to say no to the White Stallion coal plant. Thank you.